Occupational fatalities among grounds maintenance workers in the United States (2016−2020)

Background In 2019, grounds maintenance work was ranked among the most dangerous jobs in the United States. The objective of this study was to provide a national profile of fatal injuries of grounds maintenance workers. Methods Data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and Current Population Survey were analyzed to determine grounds maintenance worker fatality rates and rate ratios during 2016–2020. Results During the 5‐year study period, a total of 1064 deaths, or average fatality rate of 16.64 deaths per 100,000 full‐time employees (FTEs) was identified in grounds maintenance workers compared to 3.52 deaths per 100,000 FTEs for all occupational worker deaths in the United States. The incidence rate ratio was 4.72 per 100,000 FTEs [95% CI: 4.44−5.02; p